Middle English Dictionary Entry
bullion n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bullion n. Also bolion, billon. |
| Etymology | OF billon (from bille a stick) & boillon bubble, molten metal, etc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A bar or ingot of precious metal; such metal in bars or in bulk; in ~ or plate, (precious metal) in bars or in sheets; ~ of gold (silver), gold (silver) bullion; (b) the store of bullion or the place where it is kept; the mint.
Associated quotations
a
- (1379) Close R.Rich.II193 : [One sack of gold and silver] bolion [weighing 12 lb.].
- (1423) RParl.4.257b : That the Kynges Assaiour..be present whenne ane such Billon of Silver is brought in to the Mynte.
- (1429) RParl.4.359b : That ye Bullyon be brought in to ye mynte at Caleys.
- (1463) RParl.5.503b : Wherof the half part be in lawfull money of Englond, Plate or Bullion of Sylver or Gold..and the Plate and Bullion soo resceyved duely make to be coyned at the Mynte of Caleis.
- (1465) Procl.Edw.IV in Archaeol.12404 : Every person that wold bringe silver in bolion, plate, or otherwise into his mynte.
- (1469) Indent.Edw.IV in Archaeol.15175 : That noo man bere out of this realme any money, or bullion of gold or sylver, upon payne to lese the value therof and his body at the kyngs will.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)148 : How bullyon mey be brought in to þe lande, how also plate, juelles, and mony late borne owt mey be geytun ageyn.
b
- (1335) Statutes Realm1.273 : Qe totes gentz de quecumqes Roialme..pussent sauvement porter as les eschanges au billon, & nemie aillours, argent en plate, vessel dargent, & totes maneres de monoies dargent.
- (1433) Proc.Privy C.4.145 : Marchantz straungers suche as by þestatut be bounden to brynge a certaine somme for þeir marchandises to þe bullion in þe Tour of London.